Progressive metal is a sub genre of rock that usually has guitars with distortion, wah, compression and other effects that help people feel the music. Lyrics are usually about things that are abnormal or abstract like space. Multiple time signatures long songs, elaborate solos, and softly spoken or yelled lyrics (not like death grunts )

A subgenre of metal incorporating elements from progressive rock. The earliest bands to fuse these two genres together were Dream Theater, Watchtower, Psychotic Waltz, and Fates Warning. (Although some argue King Crimson were ahead of their time doing this with 21st Century Schizoid Man.)

Keyboards/synths, and other instruments not seen as often in the metal genre are more commonly used in progressive metal.

It's common for progressive metal acts to have very long song lengths with plenty of complex instrumental sections which give the musicians a lot of room to show off. Odd-time signatures are also are commonly implemented.

Progressive metal lyrics tend to be very cerebral, with elements of fantasy, psychology, and science fiction thrown into the mix. (The sort of lyrics you'd expect from Stephen Hawking or Sigmund Freud if they ever formed a heavy metal band.)

Prog metal for short. A sub genre of music that combines the almost jazz-like progression of progressive rock and the agression, volume, speed, and heaviness of metal. Usually features band members who are incredibly skilled at their instruments. Features rapid key changes, odd time signatures, and bombastic instrumental sections. It could be defined as "intelligent metal".

A form of music that takes a very intelligent person to comprehend and appreciate.
The intelligence is usually shown by the fact that the people that like prog metal can actually spell Dream Theater's name right, as opposed to the people who hate on prog/Dream Theater

Tard: "Dream TheatRE and every other progressive metal band suck!!!!!"